Relying on the Reds

Images:

Acer rubrum "Franksred" - a Japanese Red Maple.


The second picture is as this beauty was just beginning to turn about a week ago. Today it is almost totally red as shown in the first picture.

This native North American maple is six years old and will grow to 45-55 ft. It can grow 8 to 15 inches a year and because of our abundance of rain this year, it has been enjoying a very large growth spurt.

It is upright with an oval top. The leaves are a glossy green which turn to orange/red in the fall. It is the first tree to color up in the fall and the most brilliant.

Hardy to Zone 4B. It is resistant to storm breakage. It takes regular watering the first few years until established. Then you can just sit back and enjoy the show.

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Squirrels and birds like the seeds.

Most maples are pretty in the fall: Red Sunset and Autumn Blaze both turn orange/red. The Norway Maple Acer platanoides Crimson King has maroon leaves all summer and then turns a maroon yellow in the fall. Even the native North American Acer saccharin Marsh Sugar Maple turns yellow/gold in the autumn.

Maples need room and sunshine. Most don't like compacted soil or heavy pollution. They have few disease or pest problems. Some are prone to storm damage - check the labels when buying or situating near structures. Make sure your tree is rated for Zone 5 or colder.

The 80 ft. Sugar Maples also produces maple syrup and hard maples are often used for floors and ball bats. The leaves of maples are numerous. Unless the quantity is forming a mat of several inches over turf grass, either let the wind blow them under flowers, bushes and trees for insulation this winter or mulch with your mower.